Kaushal Kothari

Senior Manufacturing Leader with 10+ years of experience driving high-reliability, regulated, and high-volume manufacturing operations. Expert in Lean transformation, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and value stream optimization, with a proven track record of delivering schedule, quality, and cost targets. Known for building and coaching high-performing teams (30–85+ employees), fostering safety-first cultures, and collaborating with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Program Management to execute complex programs and support new product introductions.

Director of Manufacturing at Express Kitchens (2025-05 – Present)

Build-to-order, Build-to-stock, high volume

• Led a new project in automated manufacturing to improve operations and production volume implementing Lean Manufacturing, Standard Work, and Kaizen, improving on-time delivery by 18%.
• Reduced scrap and rework by 22% through root cause analysis and process/product standardization.
• Developed frontline leaders; 4 direct reports promoted into expanded roles.
• Partnered with global teams in Engineering, Quality, and Supply Chain to support NPI, ramp-ups, and regulatory compliance.

General Manager at Direct Cabinet Sales at Express Kitchens (2023-03 – 2025-04)

Build-to-order, Build-to-stock, high volume

• Managed and supervised a team of 3 direct reports and 40 indirect reports to ensure efficient manufacturing operations, process improvement, resource planning, and on-time deliveries of premium kitchen cabinetry.
• Problem-solved operational issues in every department from customer service to order processing to production scheduling and shipping logistics, with a heavy focus on root-causes and long-term solutions.
• Spearheaded the implementation of reorganization and aligning between in-house software and physical manufacturing and warehouse processes.

Demand Planner II at Apple (Watch Division) (2022-03 – 2023-03)

Global Demand Planning, high volume

• Forecasted demand, inventory, and multi-channel sell through. Generated weekly and quarterly supply plans that meet financial objectives. Evaluate risks. Plan and implement contingency plans to mitigate.
• Analyzed daily and weekly product sales and found opportunities to drive partner groups to appropriate action.
• Partnered closely with regional product planning teams to ensure supply plans met sales requirements.

Global Planning Advisor, Project Planner at TechnipFMC (2019-08 – 2022-02)

Engineer-to-order, low volume

• Led the project team effort to synchronize project priorities and Engineering design release dates to ensure optimal procurement and manufacturing schedules.
• Analyzed supply and demand of inventory and long-lead parts and took corrective actions as needed to alleviate schedule impacts or excess inventory.

Project Planner at Halliburton, Sperry Drilling (2018-03 – 2019-08)

Project Planning, R&D Supply Chain, low volume

• Delivered new technology projects at 20 percent reduced costs than previous iterations of similar projects.
• Presented work breakdown structure (WBS), costing, and % complete status to management.
• Improved Just-In-Time Material Requirements Planning, Capacity Planning, and Production Activity Control.
• Coordinated with test engineers, procurement, and project leaders globally to establish and execute timelines.
• Monitored and managed detailed spreadsheets to ensure up-to-date budget expenses, metrics, and deliveries.

Materials Inventory Planner, Production Scheduler at Baker Hughes, a GE Company (2017-05 – 2018-02)

Single-piece flow Supply Chain, high volume

• Planned and scheduled material/production needs on a daily basis for a semi "Single-Piece Flow" style production with an average output of 200+ gas flow meters (depending on seasonality).
• Collaborated with production line supervisors, water spiders, buyers, and warehouse teams to establish Kanban systems to minimize total inventory costs.

Production Planner and Scheduler at Igloo Products Corporation (2015-01 – 2017-01)

Build-to-stock, very high volume

• Created optimal weekly/monthly production schedules for machines and assembly lines while aiming to maximize efficiency of manufacturing resources and minimize work-in- progress (WIP) inventory levels.
• Monitored MRP outputs and exceptions reports to adjust discrete job schedules and to maintain optimal inventory levels to ensure production supply is balanced with customer demand and forecast.
• Worked with Purchasing associates to establish more efficient MOQs and lead times to ensure timely product availability, while balancing optimal inventory levels of purchased goods and finished goods.
• Planned and scheduled material/production needs on a daily basis for a semi "Batch-and-Queue" style production with an average output of 40,000+ coolers (depending on seasonality).

Master of Science in Supply Chain Management – University of Houston: C. T.

Bauer

College of Business

Bachelors of Business Administration in Supply Chain Management – University of Houston: C. T.

Bauer

College of Business

Bachelors of Business Administration in Finance – University of Houston: C. T.

Bauer

College of Business